Gramophone



G. B. KING GRAMOPHONE Jan.- 6, 1931.

Filed Apri-l 8. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ummm l fllllllllliimw FIGB.

FIGLI.

INVENTOR $90137@ 515mg ATTORNEYS G. B. KING Jan. 6, 1931.

GRAMOPHONE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1929 mvENToR emge lKzfr/Lg ATTORNEYS Jan. 6, 1931. G. B. KING 1,788,305

GRAMOPHONE Filed April s. 1929 3 sheets-sheet 3 Kang:

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mw" y 5o I'NVENTOR eolyellz'ng HTTOFKNEYS Patented Jan. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE, f

GEORGE BASILVKING, orY nnenesron, BIRMINGHAM, Veindterm GBAMOPHONE Application med April s, 192e, serial No. 353,544, ana-ln Great'nritain november 20,' 1928.

' This invention relates to gramophones and refers more particularly tothe Varrangement of the sound box or reproducer bywhich expression We include electrical sound reproducing appliances, usually known as ,pickups?7 and the stylus barand needle holding device associated therewith. It 'is at present the common practice to mount the stylusbar pivotally in relation to the reproducer7 the axis of theneedle holder,v

the pivoting point of the stylus bar and the plane ofthe diaphragm commonly being substantially in alignment. This arrangement does not lend itself conveniently to automatic needle changing unless thefresh needles are fed into the needle holder from the same end as that from which they project When Worlring.

The primary object of the present invention` is to introduce certain improvements in the arrangement Which Will allow of the fresh needles being fed into the needle holder from the opposite end thereof to that from Which they project when Working and to enable this vto be done Without affecting the acoustic properties of the reproduction and .in the case of a sound box Without stressing the diaphragm in any direction except along or parallel to its axis, i. e. the line passing through its centre point and at right angles tothe plane containing its periphery.

lt is possible to devise an arrangement whereby the needles can be fed into the needle holder at the opposite end therewith from which they are to pro-ject when Working by Y off-setting the sound box or reproducer, and

such an arrangement 'has already been proposed but in this arrangement the movements imparted to. the needle by the record are not accurately reproduced at the reproducer end of the stylus bar, such movements not being confined to a direction along the axis of the diaphragm or at right angles to the plane of the air gap between the armature associated with the stylus bar7 and the electromagnet in the case of an electrical reproducer.

According to the present `invention Ipro-A vide a reproducer having a diaphragm or electro-magnetic system, a stylus bar having a pivotal or equivalent movement, an open ended passageextending throughthat part of the stylus barwhich serves as a Ineedle holder anda clearance-abovethe needle holder so that the needles can be fed in at the end opposite to that from Which their points project when Working, the axisofV said passage, and a plane at right angles to lthe axis of the diaphragm passingthrough the the reproducer angularly in relation tothe axis ofthe needle 'holding portion ofthe stylus bar.

rllhe ypart of the stylus bar extending from .the pivoting axis to the reproducer may for instance be disposed at a very considerable f angle in relation to the axis of the needle holding portion of the stylus bar.

A further feature ofthe present invention is to construct that part of the stylusI bar which extends from-a point adjacent the pivoting axis yto the reproducer .in such man-ner that it has a resistance to bending which is accurately proportioned to the bending molment of the stylus bar at every point between the pivot and the endadjacent the reproducer diaphragm or armature to provide the correct degree of elasticity required by the .acoustic design and to construct said portion so that .the needles may pass therethrough and to provide When necessary means for guiding the needles'vvhen passing therethrough intoV th-e needle holding portion.

The stylus bar may for instancevbe formed so that that part Which extends from the reproducer to the pivoting axis is of channel f i section With the back of the channel adjacent to the reproducer.

e The guiding means for the needle when passing through the stylus bar may be provided by a blade like extension to one sicleiof the channel which may be bent up Whole at right ang-lesto the channel side or itmay be L" attached so as to form a fourth side ofthe `channel for part of its length. The said blade like extension or portion may have a part which is not rigidly fastened to the chanthe entrance end ofthe needle holding por- A tion and the portion extending from the reproducer to the needleholding portion mayY be connected to thelatter intermediate its ends. Referring to the drawings v l Figure 1 isa view in side elevation showing one form of sound box constructed in accordance with `this invention.

Figure V2 yis a plan-view. Figure 3 is a front view. j FigureV is a sectional side viewonline 1 -4 of Figure 3 showing 'a needle in position.

Figure 5 1 showing the needle holder.

Figure 6'is a Section on line 6-6 of Figure 5.V` l Y Y Figure 7 is a sectional side view showing another form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a plan viewV ofthe construction shown in Figure 7 but with the cover removed. l 1

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the stylus bar.

Figure 10 is a sectional side view showing v the invention applied to an electric reproducer.

Figure 11 is a side View of the apparatus shown in Figure 10 with the cover removed.

Figure 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a sectional view in side elevation showing another form of the invention.

Figure 14; is a view showing a blank from which a part of the stylus bar shown in Figure 13 is made. Y

Figure 15 is a sectionalview in side elevation showing another form of the invention. In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 6 the invention is shown applied to an ordinary sound box having a diaphragm 1 mounted in a casing 2 the casing having a tone arm such as 3.

In this construction, the casing is provided with a pair of projections 4 each having a screw 5 the ends 6 of the screw forming trun- Y nions for the stylus bar. i

The stylus bar has a needle VholdingY portion 7 and an arm 8 which extends from the needle holding portion to the diaphragm 1. The needle holding portion is provided with a longitudinal passage 9 which is open at both ends and the entrance end 10 for vneedles may be lflared or enlarged as shown.

is a section on line 5-5 Figurel The needle holding portion adjacent the entrance end is provided with a pair of oppositely arranged projections 11 which are recessed at 12 each recess containing a ball 13 which isA engaged by the end 6 of one oi' axis of the stylus bar and further a plane extending throughthe point of contact between the arm 8 and the diaphragm-1 and arranged at right angles to the axis of the diaphragm also intersects the axis of the screws 5..

l'Vith this arrangeiuenhthe vibratory motions of'the needle under the influence of the record are faithfully andaccurately reproduced at the diaphragm, themovements imparted to the diaphragm by the end of the arm S being parallel to the axis of the dia- .phragru A' needle magazine is illustrated at. 52, this magazine being fixed above and adjacent to the needle holder 7V and having an outlet in line with the bore 9 in the needle holder through which outlet needles are adapted to be ejected one vby one into said needle holder, 7

the ejecting means however forming nol part of the present invention' Means are shown whereby the needle 14 may be releasably held in the-opening 9 but such meansform no part of the present invention. i

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, the invention is shown applied to another form of sound box ever, being limited by a .pin 20 carried by.-

the arm 19 and working in a slot. 21 in the arm 18.

This movement is provided to enable the needle to be moved into a vertical position, the rotation of the arm 18 being about an axis which `is at right angles to the plane containing the axis of the needle gripper.

In-this case the sound box 17 is provided with a pairy of spaced projections 22 which carry the pins 5 which are similar in all respects with the pins 5 described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

In this construction the needle holding portion 7 of the stylus bar may be formed substantially as described with"v referenceto Y Figures 1 to 6 and may be provided with lait- Vis of channel form, the channel having a back portion 24 which may be perforated for the y sake oit-lightness andlliaving tivoV flanges 25 thefback -24 of the channel being disposed. to- Wardsthe sound box. Y, v f

At Yits end the stylus bar is provided With two integral projections 26 which `are -attached to the portion 16 of the diaphragm. In Figure 7 the needle magazine 52xfrom which needles are adapted to be ejectedinto the needle holder 7 is onl-y shown diagrammatically and forms no part of the `present invention. Y

i l In this construction the arm'y 24, 25, 26, is designed so that its moment of resistance to bending is accurately proportionedto the bending moment at everyfpoi-nt alongfits length to give the desired degree'of elasticity which is required for perfect reproduction'in certain constructions 'and they Weight is kept within the limits required lby the acoustic design. l l

Further, a plane at right angles to the axis of the diaphragm and passingl through the point of contact ofV the parts 26-and v16 intersects the-pivot axis 23 and also theiaxis of the needlev hold-ing portion 7 and also intersects the axis 23 so that the movements imparted to the diaphragmor vibrations of the needle are in a direction axis of the diaphragm.

' In Figures 10, 11 and 12, a construction is'shoivn in which our invention is applied to an electrical reproducer including a coil 27 having a core 28 the stylus bar portion 29 forming` the moving'armature. AThe stylus bar portion 3() is provided with a longitudinal passage 31 for receiving the needle, this'passage'- being openl at both ends and beingenlarged at the end 32 into Whiclrthe needles are fed. l

In this case, the stylus bar is pivoted on a knife edge 33 which is lixed on the reproducer body 34 one end ofthe part'29having a- Vclearance hole 35 whichengages over a pin 86 a spring 37 being placed `under this end of the stylus bar and a nut 38 beingyplacedon the other side of this'end of the stylus bar,

Adjacent the pivot point, the stylus'bar part 29 is provided with lateral extensions 37 which are attached by means of screws 50 to the reproducer body, these screws, hovvever, passing through clearance holes so that the arm 29 can oscillateon the knife edge. `The part 30 of the stylus which holds the needleis providedwit'h a device`39 for holding 'the' needle which device, however-,forms parallel to the V nopart of the present invention.

It will be observed that in Athislarrange vment the axis fof thev needleholding passes through theknilie edge andfialso 'thefplaneoi theair gapubetvveen' the. arm 29 andthe corel281 at right angles tothe axis ot-the coil 271er at right anglestoa .plane containing-themes ofthe tvvo coils 27 (see Figure` 12) edge 3 3. z Y c In the construction shown in Figuresl and 14 that part of thestylus bar Which'extends from thediaphragm or 'reproducen to the needle holder is made froma blankY 40 having earsl41 Which are-bent baclrwardly andattached to the diaphragmfthe blank being 'folded alongthe dotted lines. 42 into channel torno. y The back or" the channellvis disposed towards the diaphragm anda paralso passes through the :knife vtiall-y severed tongue of metal :43 iis4 prof vided lwhich may be bent inwardly Vas shown at 48 in Figure 13 toiguide the `needle into the upper end ofv the needle holder;

. Projecting `from one edge the blank; 40 `has a blade like projection 44 which is bent about lthedotted line .45 to form the 'guide 46 Ato direct theneedle into theineedle holder.

In order to get the needles into the receiving end of thestylusbar the cover 47 of the sound boxmay be provided With a tubular `l,l'u'ide 48 having a projecting inger'49.

A somewhat similar construction Aisrshovvn in Figure 15 but in this casefthe stylus bar portion 5()V is ot :tubular form instead of being' of channel form and is provided With `guides 46 and 43 similar t-o those shown in Figure V13. y f

In this case the cover=47 of the sound box is provided with a tapering tubular guide 51.

AllVhat I claim then is 1. In agramophone the combination of a reproducer, a stylus bar mounted for vibra- Itory movement, said stylus bar .having a needle holding portion, and a reproducer actuating portion, said portions being disposed in out of line relationship, the needle holding portion having an open ended hole extending therethrough,` a yneedle 7magazine mounted above and adjacent to said needle holder, saidVv magazine having 'an outlet 'in line with the hole in said needle holder `whereby needles can be fed 1n from theend opposite to that from Which they project `when functioning, the'axis o'said-hole,and a plane at right'angles to the'mean axis of the reproducer through the point 'of contact between the reproducer and the stylusy holding .portion havin-g an openended hole Aextending therethrough, Aa needle magazine mounted above and adjacent to saidlneedle holder, rsaid magazine having an outlet'in line withthe holev in .said needle holderk whereby needles canbe fed lin from theend opposite to that from which they project when functioning, the axis of said holeand .aplane at lright angles to the mean axis of the reproducer through the point of contact between the reproducer and the stylus bar, both substantially intersecting the axisk about which the stylus bar vibrates..

3.1In a gramophone the combination of a reproducer, ay stylus bar mounted for vibratory movement, said stylus bar having a `needleV holding portion, and a reproducer actuating portion, said actuating portion being of channel section with the back of the channel disposed Ytowards the reproducer, said portions `being-disposed in out of line relationship, the needleholding portion having an open ended hole extending therethrough, a needle magazine mounted above and adjacent to said needle holder, said magazine having an outlet in line with the hole in said needle holder whereby needles can be fed in from the end opposite to that from which they project when functioning.

4. In a gramophone. the combination of a reproducer, a stylus bar mounted for vibratory movement, said stylus bar having a needle holding portion, and areproducer actuatingportion, said actuatingportion beingfof channel section with the back of the channel disposed towards the reproducer, said portions being disposed -in angular relationship, the needle holding portion having an open ended hole extending therethrough, a needle magazine mounted above and adjacent to said needle holder, said magazine having an outlet in line with the hole in said needle holder whereby needles can be fed in from the end opposite to that from which they project when functioning the axis of the hole in said needle holder and a plane at right angles to the mean axis lof the reproducer, through the point of contact between the'reproducer and the stylus bar, both substantially intersecting the axis about which the stylus bar vibrates.

5. In a gramophone the combination of a reproducer, a stylus bar mounted for v1- bratory movement, said stylus bar having stantially intersecting the'axis about which the st lus bar vibrates. f Y v 'i .Y

6.- n a gramophone the combination of a reproducer, a stylus Abar mounted for vibratory movement, said stylus bar havinga needle holding portion, and a. reproducer actuating' portion, said actuating portion4 having a longitudinal passage, anda guide forfdirecting the needle into thel needle holding portion, said guide being formed as a blade like extension in one'side of the channel, the 'needle holding 'portion having an open ended hole extending therethrough, whereby needles can be fed in fromthe end opposite tov-that from which theyproject when functioning the axis of the hole in said needle holder and a plane `at right angles lto the mean axis of the reproducer, through the point of contact between the reproducer and the stylus bar,l both substantially intersecting the axis about which thevstylus bar vibrates c 7;II1 agramophone the .combination of a reproducer, a stylus bar mountedv for vibratoryf movement,` said stylus bar 'having a needle holding portion, and a reproducer actuating`v portion, said actuating portion; having a longitudinal passage, a tubular guide associated with vthe reproducer, the needle holding portion 'having 'an open ended zhole extending therethrough, whereby needles can be fed in from the end opposite to that from which they project when functioningV the axis of the hole in said needle holder and a plane at right angles to the mean axis of the reproducer, through the point of contactbetween the reproducer and the stylus bar, both substantially intersecting the axis about which the 'stylus bar vibrates. j Y

8. In a gramophone the combination of a reproducer, a stylus bai` mounted for vibratory movement, said stylus bar having a needle .holding portion, and a reproducer actuating portion, said actuating portion having a longitudinalpassage, said portions being disposed in out of line relationship, the needle holding portion having an open ended hole extending therethrough, a needle magazinemounted above and adjacent to said needle holder, said magazine having an outlet in line with the hole in said needle holder whereby needles can be fed in from the end opposite to that from which they project when functioning the axis of the hole in said needle holder and a plane at right angles to y the mean axis of the reproducer, through the point of Contact between the reproducer and the stylus bar, both substantially intersecting the axis about which the stylus bar vibrates. Y,

9. In a gramophone the combination of a reproducer, a stylus bar mounted for vibratory movement, said stylusbar having a needle holding portion, and,V a reproducer actuating portion, said portions-being dis-p` posed in angular' relationship, said actuatf ing portion having a longitudinalpassage and a guide for directing the needle intol` the needle holding portion, theneedle holding portion having an open ended hole extending therethrough, a needle magazine mount,- Y

' ed above and adjacent to saidneedle holder,

said magazine having an outlet in line with the hole in said needle holder .whereby needles can be fed in from the end opposite to that from which they project when functioning the axis of the hole in said needle holder and a plane at right angles to the mean axis of the reproducen, through the point of contact between the reproducer and the stylus bar, both substantially intersecting the axis about which the stylus bar vibrates.

l0. In a gramophone the combination of a reproducer, a stylus barV mounted for vibratory movement, said'stylus bar having a I needle holding portion, and a reproducer actuating portion, said actuating portion bev ing of channel section with the back of theA channel disposed towards the reproducer, said actuating portion having'a longitudinal passage, and a guide for; directing the needle .y GEORGE BASIL KING. 

